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Friday, February 12, 2010

So You’ve Decided to Write a Book, Now What?

Now that you have decided to sit down and write a novel, one of the most difficult parts is out of the way. Oftentimes, finding the motivation to start a project can be the hardest step, and now that you have done it things can only go up!

So you’ve decided to write a book, now what? Well the first thing you need is an idea, so ask yourself these questions:

1. What am I interested in?
Do you have a hobby or are you passionate or knowledgeable about something in particular?

2. What do I enjoy reading?
When it comes to writing, it’s definitely important to choose a topic that you have a lot to say about. If you absolutely can’t stand sports, it’s probably a bad idea to write a novel where the main character is a professional athlete.

Look at the novels you enjoy reading. Do you enjoy diving into mysteries and solving crimes, or are you more likely to swoon over a good romance novel? The best advice for this particular area is to write what you know and, most of all, write about something you would enjoy reading yourself.

3. Is there are particular genre I would like to be a part of? (Science Fiction, Supernatural, Romance, Comedy, Mystery, etc…)
When it comes time to get your completed manuscript published, the genre and target audience will become incredibly important, so while you are thinking about what type of novel you would like to write, try to keep these things in mind. You might enjoy fugitive apprehension and animal grooming, but will you be able to write about these topics in a way that will be inviting and entertaining to readers? If you can, then go for it!

Next, take these answers and use them as a basic guide for developing your ideas as you BRAINSTORM, BRAINSTORM, BRAINSTORM!